Rotary type can opener



lSept. 1, 1942.

R. E. MCLEAN ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Filed April 14, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. l, 1942. R E MCLEAN 2,294,507

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER 1942- R. E. MCLEAN ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Sept. 1

Filed April 14, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 1, 1942 UNITED STATES ,PATENT oFFlcE ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Robert E. McLean, Fort Francis E. Warren, Wyo. Application April 14, 1942,` Serial No. 438,947 -20 Claims. (Cl. 309) The present invention relates generally to the class of implements or tools designed for opening sealed receptacles of metal such as tin cans and the like, and the present application is based upon and sets forth certain improvements over the structure disclosed in my copending application relating to rotary type can openers, Seerial No. 409,419, filed September 3, 1941.

The devices herein set forth, as well as those in my prior application above referred to, employ a crank means which upon rotation effects the shifting of a portion of the device for the purpose of bringing about the penetration of the head of the receptacle which is to be opened, by

a cutting knife,`and the turning of the receptacle with respect to such knife upon continuation of the rotation of the crank. The crank carries a means which cooperates with a portion of la fixed part of the implement for bringing about the` plication resides in the provision of a novel andV improved form of the handle or crank carried means, which, in cooperation with other parts of the implement, brings about the relative movement between the can head and the cutting knife, whereby a more compact constructionof the implement may be produced and quieter operation of the implement is obtained. y

Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary type can opener having a swinging or pivoted crank handle carried latch or escapement for coaction with an eccentric wheel actuating lever and releasing cam pawl.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rotary type Acan opener in which the cam pawl is designed to cause the crank handle carried` latch or escapement to return to an initial position without the creation of unpleasant nolse.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a rotary type canr opener, a novel head construction carrying they cutting knife, which permits of a degree of flexibility between the knife and the can flange engaging driving wheel whereby variations in thickness in the metal of the cans may be readily handled by the implement and relative movement between the knife of seams orvother unusual thickened portions.

Another 'object of the invention is to provide in a rotary type can opener a novel construction providing a holding means engageable with the top edge of a can while the head is being cut therefrom, to maintain the can against rocking or other movement which might interfere with the correct cutting out of the head.

The several forms or embodiments of the improved pivoted latch or escape'ment, together -with the other improved features of the cutter as herein disclosed, will be best understood from a conslderatlon of the following detailed description taken 'in connection with the accompanying drawings, it being understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered as limited by the specific `illustration or description of such embodiments but that the illustration and description constitute preferred forms of the improved embodiments.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of one embodiment of the improved rotary can opener, showing the operating crank handle swung clockwise past its hanging position and the driving wheel actuated cam in wheel raising position.

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the implement as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of the upper portion of the implement upon the side opposite from vthat shown in Figure 1, a part of the head being broken away.

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of a portion of the side of the crank opposite from that shown in Figure l, and showing the pivoted latch or escapement in side elevation.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the lower part of the can top edge engaging and steadying bracket.

Figure ,'i'is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the rotary canopener, corresponding to Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a view in front elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, with a portion of the operating crank removed.

Figure 9 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

Figure l0 is a view in top plan of a modification of the pivoted latchor escapement which is carried by the operating handle.

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation of the and v4wheel is permitted toallow forthe passage 55 escapement shown m Figure 10, looking at the same from the side of the crank upon which it is located.

Figure 12 is a view in side elevation ofthe escapement shown in Figure 10, viewed from the side opposite from that shown in Figure 11.

. Figure 13 is a view in top plan o f the escapement per se as shown in Figure 10, and viewed in fiat plan as contrasted with Figure 10 in ,which the escapement is partially in perspective.

Figure 14 is a view in side elevation of a modied form of latch engaging pawl.

Figure 15 is a view in edge elevationof the pawl shown in Figure `14.

Figure 16 is a view in side elevation of a further embodimentl of pawl and escapement mechanism.

Figure 17 is a sectional view taken on the line of Figure 16. y

Figure 18 is a view in front elevationl of the lower portion of the pawl and escapement mechanism shown in Figure 16. f

Figure 19 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line |9|9 of Figure 16.

Figure 2O is a view in side elevation of still 'and other embodiment of pawl and escapement mechanism.

Figure 21 is a view in front. elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 22--22 of Figure 20.

Referringnow more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts in these several views, reference will rst be had to the embodiments particularly set forth in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive.

In the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in the figures particularly referred to it will be seen that the main body portion of the implement is in the form of a flat relatively long plate body indicated generally by the reference character and having a laterally offset upper end portion 2 which merges with a horizontal laterally directed part 3 which in turn adjoins a downwardly extending portion or face piece 4c which is in spaced parallel relation with the portion 2a. 'I'hese portions 2e, 3a and 4c form the head of the device and provide between the spaced portions 2n and 4c a receiver for a cutting blade the lower edge portion of which is sharpened, as indicated at 5d, and is obliquely angled, as shown in Figure 4.

The portion 2at has the two apertures 94 formed therethrough and coaxial with these apertures are formed in the portion 4c the threaded apertures 95. The cutting blade 5C is provided with suitable apertures for alignment with the apertures 94 and 95 and there is disposed between the blade and the portion 2'L the apertured plate 9S which, as shown ln Figure 6, has the transverse bar 91 across its lower end .which terminates in the forwardly directed` and slightly convergent ngers`98. These ngers, as shown in Figure 4, are disposed above the cutting edge 5d of the blade and also slightly above the shoulder H3' which is formed, as shown in Figure 3, by ofi'- setting the portion 2 from the main body portion or plate I. .Y

Below the shoulder AH3' the body plate |z has the central longitudinally extending elongated recess 8d formed therein. Extending )through this recess 8d is a sleeve 9b which, intermediate its ends, is enlarged to form the integral collar |01 which is of a diameter equal to the width of the recess 8d in which it has vertical movement.

sleeve i2d which is secured against rotation in the sleeve 9b and extending through and rotatably supported in the bearing sleeve I2d is a driving wheel shaft |3d.4 This shaft supports upon one end the crank handle I4dl by the provision of a reduced longitudinal extension ld which ,a portion of which is shown in dotted outline in Figure 3 and indicated by the character |84. This knurled or toothed wheel lies in 'the plane of the plate 96 and to one side of the plane of the knife 5, as shown, so that it may force the can upwardly through engagement with the edge iiange thereof and cause the pointed edge of the knife to penetrate the top of the can.

Upon the end of the sleeve 9b nearest the wheel ld there is secured an eccentric wheel ISC which, 'as shown in Figure4, has two joining right angularly related tangential straight edge portions 2|)h and 2lb, one of which, namely the portion 20h, comes to rest near ythe shoulder I 3 when the eccentric wheel ls rotated in a direction to raise the driving wheel lid, thus limiting the rotary motion of the eccentric wheel in the said one direction. 'I'he periphery of the eccentric wheel is at all times in contact with the shoulder H3 as well as with an underlying supporting unit, hereinafter described, against which the straight portion 2|b comes to-rest upon reverse rotation clidthe eccentric wheel to lower the driving wheel The numeral 22d indicates a lever arm which has an upper inset portion 23d through which the sleeves 9b and I 2d pass, as shown in Figure 3, this portion being securelyfastened to the sleeve 9b whereby rotation may be imparted thereto and transmitted to the eccentric wheel |9c upon turning of the lever. As shown in Figure 3, the main lower portion of the lever is substantially spaced from the adjacent face of the plate lc to permit engages at one side,

Extending through the sleeve 9b is a bearing 75 The side of the lever arm 22d remote from the movement limiting vstud 28d for the pawl iszcul away at its lower end to forml the obllquely directed shoulder 21d, with whichcooperates an escapement hereinafter described.

Rotary movement is imparted to the) crank handle I4d bythe pivoted knob 29d which' is mounted upon the free end of the handle.

Upon the side of the plate body against which the eccentric wheel Illc is located, there is secured a spring supporting plate 3i!b from the rear edge of which there curves upwardly and forwardly th'e spring arm 40h, against the top edge of which the eccentric wheel |9 bears, as

shown in Figure 4.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent 'that upon turning the lever arm 22d in one direction the eccentric wheel, bearing upon the spring arm 40, and against the shoulder H3', will raise the collar |b in the opening 8d to lift the driving wheel toward the cutting blade and when rotated in the opposite direction the driv- 'ing wheel will be lowered away from the blade', thus making it possible to effect the easy penetration of the point of the blade through the top of the can after the latter is placed in position with the driving wheel engaging against the under edge of the can flange.

A suitable supporting bracket arm Ild is provided for the implement, one end of which arm is secured to the implement, as shown in Figure 3, while the other end may be attached in any suitable manner through the medium of a T 4|" with a suitable wall attached keeper device. Such device is here shown as being in the form of a plate having forwardly turned opposite edge portions a' which are reverted to provide the flanges b' which are in spaced relation with the body proper of the plate.

Means for preventing the accidental displacement of the bracket arm 4|d from the wall attached keeper is here shown as comprising a keeperslot c formed in one flange b and a, substantially U-shaped spring d' secured to the side of the bracket arm Hd and having one leg riveted or ,otherwise secured'to the bracket arm, as shown at e', while the other leg f is resiliently engaged in the recess c', as illustrated in Figure 2.

'Ihe actuation of the lever arm 22'i is accomplished in the manner above described for electing the raising and lowering of the can driving wheel as well as the can, by means of a pivoted latch or escapement |03 which is mounted upon the crank handle |4d. This escapement |03 comprises a small flat plate |04 which is disposed in edge opposed relation with the inner side of the crank handle or, in other words, the side thereof nearest the lever arm 22d. This plate has an edge shoulder |05 whichl engages against that edge of the crank which would be the trailing edge when the crank is given clockwise rotation, and terminates in an angularly disposed lip |06 which is designed to engage the oblique shoulder 21i of the lever. The angle of the lip |06 is such as to engage at against the shoulder 2ll when these two Darts are brought into operative relation.

The opposite edge Aof the plate |04 is formed to provide a bearing sleeve |01 and this receives a pin |08 which is secured at one end in the side of the crank handle.

Encircling the pivot pin |08 between the end of the sleeve |01 and the handle is a spring |09 which has one end secured, as indicated at H0, to a Stud carried by the handle while the other end 2 bears against the under side of the plate |04 and normally urges it to swing in a direction to bring the shoulder |05 against .the adjacent edge of the handle.

It will beY apparent from the foregoing that when the driving wheel |`|d is in lowered position the collar |0b will be in the lower part of the opening or recess 0d and, consequently, the shouldered lower'end of the lever arm 22d will be in a radius below the camming edge 26d of the pawl.

With the parts in the position shown in' Figure l, when thea handle or crank Hd is given clockwise rotation the edge of the lip |06 will ride along the camming edge of the pawl 24d and will be carried bythis edge below the lower end of the lever arm 22d. Thus, when the driving wheel is in the raised position shown the crank handle can be continually turned to effect the cutting out of the head of the can. After this has been accomplished, the operator by giving a counter- .clockwise movement to the crank handle will bring thevback of the lip |06 against the edge of the lever arm 22 opposite from the shoulder 21d'which will effect the reverse rotation of the lever until the straight edge portion 2|h of the eccentric wheel has been brought around against the top edge of the spring '40b and this will result in lowering the driving wheel |ld with respect to the knife and, if a can is in the machine the can will be released from engagement between the d riving wheel and the knife. .The lever arm 22l will thus be left in a position where, upon subsequent movement of the crank in a clockwise direction, the top face of the lip |00 will be brought into engagement with the edge face of the `shoulder 21d, and as the lever arm is forced downwardly and forwardly the driving wheel will be raised in the manner previously stated and the edge of the lip |06 of the escapement will ride down along the edge 26d of the pawl and thereby be disengaged from the shoulder 21i as the latter rises with the driving wheel.

In Figures 7 to 9 inclusive another embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein the body plate of the implement is indicated by the reference character |d and this plate, at its upper end, is offset to form the shoulder ||3 and then continues upwardly .and obliquely to form the head consisting of the forward portion Ill, the rearwardly extending short portion H5, and the downwardly extending portion ||6 which is in spaced parallel relation with the portion H4. The portion ||6 has an aperture Ill therethrough and is slightly bowed away from the portion H4, as indicated at H8 in Figure 8, while the portion I H of the head has a similar aperture ||9 except that it is flattened at the bottom (not shown) 'to prevent rotation of bushing 15 which is coaxial with the aperture l Extending through the aperture Ill and into the aperture H9 is a bearing sleeve 'l5a which is transversely flattened at its forward end, as indicated at |20, to engage a correspondingly flattened portion of the opening ||9 whereby the sleeve is held against rotation but, as shown, it may have a slight longitudinal movement.

Extending through the bearing lsleeve l5a is a shaft 11'l having the'head 8|a upon the rear end which bears against the collar 82a which forms an integral part of the rear end of the bearing sleeve and rests against the bowed por- .tion ||8.- The opposite or forward end of this shaft has rotatably mounted thereon the knurled idler wheel I9a which is spaced from the forward or adjacent -end of the bearing sleeve 15 but bears against the portion H4. Upon the end of the shaft l1 there is secured the cutting wheel or circular knife 'I8a which maintains the idler wheel in position.

The longitudinally extending` opening in the body plate is indicated in this embodiment vof the invention by the reference character 8e through which extends the sleeve 9cy which has the collar Illc which slides in the opening and the bearing sleeve is here indicated by the character I2', through which extends the driving wheel shaft I3e and upon the rear end of which is secured the crank handle Ne. As indicated at I5e the same means is here shown for securing the handle upon the shaft but any other suitable knife means may be employed, as will be readihr, apparent, and upon the opposite end of the shaft from the handle and located directly beneath the idler wheel 10 is the knurled or toothed driving wheel |1.

The eccentric wheel is here indicated by the character lild .and is mounted upon the sleeve 9 and bears at its top against the shoulder H3. It will` be readily understood that this bearing wheel may be of the same design as that shown in Figure 4 and at its lower edge it bears against the spring arm which forms an integral part of the plate 39 which is secured to the body of the implement.

A portion of a supporting bracket for the implement is also shown secured to the body and to the plate 39 and is indicated by the character 4|.

The lever-arm 22 is also of the same general design as that shown in Figure l and issecured at its upper end tothe sleeve 0 as illustrated, the lower end portion being offset and in spaced relation with the body Id. The oblique shoulder at the lower end of this lever arm and at the rear or trailing edge is indicated by the character 21, but it will be noted that this lever arm tapers off to a materially less width at its lower end than does thek arm 22d` so as to more eiciently cooperate with the adjacent pawl 24. This pawl 24 is pivotally suspended' upon the lug or pivot member |02a and is limited in its forward swinging movement bythe stop member 26 which is carried upon the body plate.

The lower edge of the pawl 24 has a slightly different bottom edge configuration from the pawl 24d in that in addition to having the long curved or arcuate camming edge 26 which is eccentric to the pivot |02@ and which passes or extend slightly below the free end Yof the lever arm 22, it has the forwardly and upwardly curving camming edge portion |2| with which it merges atthe lowermost point |22, which low point is in a plane directly beneath the free end of the lever arm when the `latter is hanging straight down as shown. This camming edge arrangement of the pawl 24 facilitates the smooth and quiet return of the pivoted latch or escapement unit |03, whichis carried upon the vcrank handle |4, to its stationary position. The parts of this latch or escapement are the same as shown in Figure 1 and the same reference numerals are employed for corresponding parts with the addition of the subscript a.

In the operation of the implement shown in Figures 7 to 9 it will be readily understood that when the eccentric wheel I9d is turned in'a direction to lower the driving wheel |1 the lever arm 22 will be swung rearwardly or .to the right of the position in which it is shown in Figure '1 and, consequently, when the receptacle is placed in position with the 'top ange located above .and resting upon the driving wheel |1.and the crank handle is turned clockwise by grasping the knob 29, the escapement |03l will be brought around until the lip |06* engages the oblique shoulder 21 of the lever arm and continued turning of the handle will rotate the arm and the eccentric wheel and cause the driving wheel to raise the can, turning the can and at the same time forcing its head against the sharp edge of the rotary As the lower end of the -lever arm swings down the edge of the lip |06l will ride along the camming edge 26 of the-pawl until it isi'orced by this edge to swing relatively to the crank handle to a positon where it will pass off or head portion of the plate body of the implement, when a thickened portion of a can wall,

such as a seam or the like, passes between the face of the driving wheel |1 and the adjacent side of the cutting wheel the portion 6 will yield or flex so as to permit the shaft 11 and the sleeve 15 to shift slightly. In this Way the seam or thickened portion will pass smoothly between the driving wheel and cutter without damaging the implement and without stopping or interfering with the proper operation of the implement in cutting out the head of the can.

Figures 11 to 13 illustrate another form of escapement which might be used in the place of the escapements |03 and |03, in association with a cam pawl of any desired shape or contour which may be mounted in a 'fixed position upon the body plate of the implement instead of being pvoted as are the cam pawls 24d and 24. The cam surface of such a fixed cam pawl would preferably be of approximately the same design as the pivoted cam pawl 24 referred to and such stationary cam pawl might be used with any of the several embodiments of the invention. In illustration of this modified escapement construction a portion of the supporting crank handle only is shown, the same vbeing indicated by the character I4t and a portion of the actuating knob, shown in Figure 10, being indicated by the character 29f. l

This escapement comprises the plate |041 which is arranged in edge opposed relation with the inner side of the crank handle I4f and is cut to form the shoulder |05", Figures 10 and 13, which engages against the edge of the crank handle which becomes the trailing edge when the handle is given clockwise rotation. A portion of this plate adjacent .the shoulder |05b is turned up to provide the lip |061 corresponding with the lip |06 of the structure shown in Figure 1 and designed to engage the oblique shoulder 21d or 21 at the free end of the lever arm. The opposite end of the plate from the lip |06" is formed 4 to provide the bearing sleeve I 01h which receives At opposite sides of the up insb the plate is' turned to form the aligned sleeves |23 through which is extended the pin |24. This pin is carried entirely by the plate |04" and in the portion lying beneath the lip |06 it is slightly reduced in diameter and has wound thereabout the coil spring |30, one end of which, not shown, is fixed to the pin, while the other end indicated by the numeral |3I, is engaged over the top of the plate.

Upon the opposite side of the plate from the shoulder |05b the plate is cut out, see Figures ll and 13, to receive-a pawl |21 which is mounted upon and secured to the reduced terminal portion |25, Figure 11, of the adjacent end of the pin |24. This pawl is shaped to provide the point |29 at the inner end of'which is formed the lug |28, which lug is normally urged to bear against the under side of the plate at the inner end portion |26 of the recess in which the pawl is located. The pawl is constantly urged to this position by the spring |30 which couples the pin |24 with the escapement plate.

Upon the pivot post |08 there is mounted between the plate |04b and the adjacent face of the crank arm, the spring |09, one end of which is secured to the crank arm by the stud |||b while the other end bears against the under side of the escapement plate and constantly urges it to oscillate in a direction to bring the shoulder |05b into position against the edge of the crank arm.

As previously stated, the pivoted escapement or latch mechanism |03b is designed for use in association with a cam pawl which is fixed upon the body -plate of the implement instead of being pivoted like the pawls 24d and 24e. Therefore, when the crank handle |4f is turned clockwise, assuming that the lever arm of the implement has been swung counter-clockwise to a position where the eccentric wheel has turned suiliciently to lower the driving wheel to its lowermost' position, the lip |0|5b will engageragainst the oblique shoulder of the lever arm, such as the shoulder 21e, for example, and will swing the lever arm with it in a clockwise direction until the driving wheel has raised to its uppermost position and moved the can so as to force the cutter through the head of the can. As the lever arm is moving into this position the point |29 of the escapement carried pawl |21 will ride along against the lower edge of the cam pawl and will cause the escapement plate to swing on its pivot |08b until the lip |06b is freed from engagement with the lever arm. Continuous rotation of the crank handle can then take place to completely cut out the head of the can.

In order to restore the lever arm to the position where the driving wheel is lowered to inoperative position and the can is released, a reverse or counter-clockwise rotation will be given to the crank handle so as to bring the back of the lip |06b against the forward or advancing edge of the lever arm until the latter has been swung to the desired position. During this movement the back edge of the point |29 will strike the lixed cam pawl and the escapement will be permitted to pass the fixed pawl by the oscillation of the pawl |21 against the tension of the coil spring |30. The crank handle may then be swung back or allowed to return by gravity to hanging position and the implement is ready for reuse.

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a .type of fixed or non-swinging cam pawl which might be used in association with the type of escapement just described and illustrated in Figures to 13 inclusive. As shown, this fixed pawl is in the form of a roller or wheel 24f which is mounted upon the body plate of the implement here indicated by the reference character Ie. This roller may be secured against rotation if desired but in the portions H4, |81, and H8* making up the head of the device. Through the apertures ||1 and IIS there extends the sleeve bearing 15h which, as in the structure shown in Figures 7 to 9, supports a shaft 11b having upon its rear end the head 8|IJ and upon its forward end the cuty tingb wheel 18h. Between this wheel and the head wheel engaging shoulder I I3a at its upper end and 75 portion ||4a is the can flange engaging idler wheel or roller 19h. As in the case of the Ipreviously .described structure the bearing sleeve has the flattened portion |20a which corresponds with the portion of the opening in which the end of the bearing engages, to maintain the bearing sleeve against turning.

The 'opening 8t has the bearing sleeve 9d therethrough which carries the collar l0d which slides in the opening and this bearing sleeve supports the shaft .bearing I2t through which extends the shaft |31, one end of which carries the crank lever |4g while the other end carries the driving wheel |1f. `Iiit indicates the head of the shaft which secures the lever thereon. i

As in the other cases, the body of the implement is secured to a spring arm plate 39d from which extends the spring arm 40d*` and to the\ bracket plate 4|f. Between the spring arm 4i!d and thev shoulder ||3al is the eccentric wheel |9e which is secured, as in the other embodiments, to the forward end of the bearing sleeve 9d.

'IIl'le character 22g designates the lever arm which is secured at one end to and supported upon the bearing sleeve 9d. 'I'his lever arm adjacent lts free end carries upon its outer side, or that side remote from the body plate If, the small roller |33 which is mounted, in slightly spaced relation with the lever arm, upon the supporting pivot stud |33'.

Between the lever arm 22Eg and the plate body If is mounted upon the pivot stud |02b which is secured tothe plate, the swinging or pivoted pawl 24B which has an arcuate lower edge 28g which is eccentric to the pivot. The arcuate edge 268 is bordered upon the face of the pawl opposite from the plate If, by the outstanding flange |34 which, at the rear side of the pawl, is slightly rounded upwardly, as indicated at |35, Figure 16, while at the forward edge of the pawl the flange terminates in the short straight upwardly extending portion |38, Figures 17 and 18.

The plate If supports, at the forward edge of the pawl 24K, the stop or abutment stud 28f which limits the forward swinging movement of the pawl.

The character |03c designates the pivoted escapement carried by the crank handle |4. This escapement comprises a pivot element |31 which is carried by the crank and to which is pivotally connected one end of a short link bar |38, disposed upon the inner side of the handle. At its other end the link bar |38 has attached thereto one end of a trip finger |39 which is of circular cross-section and which is of sucient'length to extend inwardly across the camming edge 2|;g and flange |34 of the pawl 24g, as is shown in Figures 17 and 18.

Upon its top edge the link bar |38 carries the laterally projecting stop lug |40 which projects across the adjacent edge of the handle |48. This lug limits the swinging movement of the link in one direction.

Below the pivot |31 the crank carries a stud |4| to which is secured one end of a short leaf spring |42, the other end of which bears against the lower edge of the link |38 and constantly urges it to swing upwardly, thereby maintaining the stop |40 in contact with the trailing edge of the crank handle.

In. this embodiment of the invention, when the lever 22E is in the raised position shown in broken lines in Figure 16, in which position the eccentric wheel |9 will be lowered so as to lower the driving wheel |1 to a position to permit the insertion of a can flange between the wheel and the cutter 18h, if the crank |48 is turned clockwise the trip nger |39 will engage the roller |33 inwardly of the pivotal center thereof and thus rm contact will be maintained between the finger and the roller to cause the lever 22S to be pulled around for the purpose of turning the eccentric wheel and raising the driving Wheel |11. As the clockwise movement of the crank handle continues the trip iinger |39 will ride, at its inner end, against the higher part ofi the camming edge and ange of the pawl 24E and be caused by this edge to move downwardly, thus swinging the free end of the link |30 downwardly also against the tension of the spring |42. When the lever 22*z has swung down to the limit of its movement the center of the trip finger |39 will have been moved by the camming edge of the pawl below the pivotal center of the roller |33, as shown in Figure 16. It will thus be seen that continued pull of the trip finger |39 against the roller, below the pivotal center of the latter: will cause the iinger to ride down and under the roller, thus permitting the continued clockwise rotation of the crank handle. The tensioned spring |42 will return the link |38 to the position where the stop |40 engages the edge of the crank. After the head'of the can has been cut the can may be released by turning the crank counter-clockwise so as to bring the trip finger |39 against the opposite side of the roller |33 and since the nger will be above the pivotal center of the roller it will maintain iirm contact therewith until the lever 22g is returned to the broken line position shown in Figure 16. It will, of course, be understood that in this return movement the pawl 24B can swing in a counterclockwise direction to permit the nger to pass. This swinging action also takes place, as will be understood, in connection with the pawls 24d and 24 to permit the counter-clockwise turning of the handles associated therewith.

In the embodiment set forth in Figures 20 to 22 inclusive it will be understood that, although the full implement is not illustrated, the construction of the upper part thereof is the same as in Figure 17 and also that the body plate I'I supports the bearing sleeve |22 and the eccentric wheel |9f and driving wheel |18 for vertical movement, the eccentric wheel turning1r against the shoulder |I3b at the upper end of the body plate, while the lower edge of the eccentric wheel bears against the spring arm 40"` which forms an integral part of the plate 39 which is secured to the body plate, and which in turn has secured thereagainst the supporting bracket 4 Il?.

In this construction, the lever 22h which is operatively coupled with the eccentric whee1 I9t in the same manner as illustrated in Figure 17, has an outwardly rounded or arcuate end edge |43 which is eccentric to the turning axis of the lever and in the back or trailing edge there is formed a shallow recess |44 while the forward or advancing edge has formed therein the deeper recess |45. The lower ends of these recesses merge with the arcuate edge |43, as shown in dotted or broken outline in Figure 20.

The pawl 24h which is pivotally mounted upon the body plate l, through the medium of the pivot stud |02, has the eccentric lower camming edge 26h, Figure 20, the lower end of which extends slightly below that end of the curved edge |43 of the lever arm which is highest when the lever arm is in the vertical depending position shown in full lines in Figure 20.

In this embodiment the escapement comprises the pivot |31*il which is supported upon or secured to the crank handle I4h and the link bar |30 which is pivotally attached to thev pivot |31 and which carries, at the end remote from the pivot, the trip finger |39 which, like the finger |39, extends inwardly toward the body plate. This trip finger is designed to engage and ride on the camming edge 26h of the pawl 24h.

The link bar |38a carries upon its top edge the stop lug |401l Figures 20and 22, which extends laterally across the edge of the handle I4h and by engagement with this edge limits the upward swinging movement of the link bar. Below the -pivot |31a is a stud |4| to which is attached one end of a leaf spring |42, the other end of which spring engages the adjacent edge of the link bar and constantly urges it to swing upwardly, whereby the stop |40l is maintained in contact with the crank.

The trip finger |39a has rotatably supported thereon the lever arm contacting roller |41. This roller is in the plane of the recessed portion of the lever arm 22h and is adapted to engage in the recesses |44 and |45 and to roll across the arcuate lower end edge |43.

When the implement is set to receive a can, the head of which is to be removed, the lever arm 22h will be disposed in the raised position in which it is shown in broken lines in Figure 20, in which position it will be understood that the driving roller |18 will be lowered from the cutter, not shown. 'Ihe pawl 24h will, of course, be in hanging position and in engagement at its forward edge with the stop stud 28S.

If clockwise rotation is now given the crankl handle, the trip nger carried roller |41 will be brought around in position to engage in the shallow recess |44 of the lever arm vand continued turning of the crank handle willeifect the downward swinging of the lever arm to the final position in which it is shown in full lines in Figure 20. However, before this full line position is reached the inner end of the trip finger |39 will contact the high side or end of the camming edge 26h of the pawl 24h and the finger, together with the link |38, will begin to swing down against the tension of the spring |42, causing the roller |21 to roll out of the recess |44 onto the high end of the end edge |43 of the lever, as shown in Figure 20. The down- Ward swinging of the link bar will continue until the roller |41 has been lowered to the position where it may roll across the end |43 of the lever, thereby permitting continued clockwise turning of the handle. Restoration of the lever 22h to the dotted or broken line position shown in Figure 20, for the release of the can after the head has been cut out, is effected by imparting counter-clockwise movement to the crank handle, whereupon the roller |41 will engage in the recess |45 of the lever and force the lever to swing back to the desired position. The pawl 24h will swing out of the way during this return movement of the lever to raised position, to permit the trip iinger |39a to pass, the pawl subsequently returning by gravity to its position of rest against the stop lug 288.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that in the several embodiments of the invention herein disclosed and described, the pivoted latch or escapement mechanism is, in all cases, pivotally supported upon the crank handle and by engagement with the pawl carried by the plate body of the implement is caused to oscillate, when the crank is turned in a clockwise direction for the purpose o1' securing the can in position and simultaneously effecting the penetration of the head by the knife and the cutting out of the head, to effect a disengagement of the escapement from the eccentric wheel turning lever after the latter has been turned to the desired position. Upon counter-clockwise movement of the crank handle, the pivoted latchfor escapement mechanism being returned to no rmal position with respect to the handle, effects the restoration of the lever to the position in which the eccentric wheel is turned to lower the can driving wheel or effect separation of the driving wheel from the cutter or knife.

In the rst part of this specification it is stated that the present application is based upon and presents certain improvements over my prior application, and in this connection it is pointed out that any one of the various forms of escapement herein illustrated and described can be adapted to each of the embodiments of the can opener set forth in the prior application.

I claim:

1. A can opener, comprising a body member, a cutter carried thereby, a rotatable can driving wheel carried by the body, the cutter and wheel having relative movement to effect penetration of a can top by the cutter, a thrust means for effecting such relative movement, a crank for turning the wheel, a lever for actuating the thrust means, and mechanism pivotally mounted on and carried by the crank adapted for releasable coupling with the lever upon turning of the crank'for effecting actuation of the thrust means and relative movement of the wheel and cutter.

2. A can opener, comprising a body member, a can top cutter carried thereby, means carried by the body for effecting rotational movement of a can when the same has had its top penetrated by the cutter, said means being movable relatively to the cutter for eiecting penetration of the top by the cutter, means including a turnable arm for shifting said rst means relatively to the cutter, means for effecting actuation of the first means to impart rotary motion to the can, and a mechanism pivotally supported upon said last mentioned means adapted for releasable connection with said arm upon actuation of the means for imparting rotary motion to the can for effecting relative movement between the cutter and the can rotating means.

3. A can opener, comprising a body member, a can top cutter carried thereby, a rotatable Vcan driving wheel carried by the body for cooperative action with the cutter, the cutter and wheel having relative movement to eilect penetration of a can top by the cutter, means for rotating the wheel, a rotatable means adjacent the rst means for effecting the said relative movement between the cutter and wheel, and including a lever, a latch mechanism pivotally supported upon the wheel turning means and adapted to' engage said lever, and mechanism for effecting oscillation of the latch and its release from connection with the lever when a predetermined relative movement has been eiiected between the cutter andthe wheel.

4. An implement as set forth in claim 3, in which the last mentioned mechanism comprises a camming element functioning to oscillate the latching mechanism to a position in which it may pass across the free end of the lever arm.

5. A can opener, comprising a body member, a cutter carried thereby, a rotatable can driving wheel carried by the body, the cutter and wheel having relative movement to effect penetration of a can top by the cutter, a thrust means for effecting said relative movement. a crank for turning the wheel, a lever arm for actuating the thrust means, a pivot carried by the crank, a body carried by the pivot for oscillation on an axis paralleling the axis of rotation of the crank, means carried by the pivoted body for eiecting an operative coupling between the pivoted body and said lever arm, whereby the lever arm will be turned in a direction to actuate the thrust means upon turning the crank in one direction, and means for releasing the operative connection between the said means of the pivoted body and the lever arm when a predetermined relative movement between the crank and driving wheel is effected.

6. A can opener as set forth in claim 5, including means resiliently urging oscillation of the pivoted body in a direction to position the arm engaging means thereof for connection with the arm upon turning the crank in the said one direction, and means for limiting the oscillatory movement of the pivoted body under the action of said resilient means.

7. A can opener, comprising a supporting body, a can top penetrating cutter carried thereby, a rotatable can driving wheel carried by the supporting body, the cutter and wheel having relative movement to facilitate penetration of a can top by the cutter, a thrust means for effecting such relative movement, crank means for turning the Wheel, a lever arm operatively coupled with the thrust means for actuating the latter,

the side of the crank nearest said lever arm,

means carried by the plate and extending transversely thereof for engaging a side of the lever arm upon rotation of the crank in one direction to efl'ect'turning of the arm and actuation of the thrust means, and means for effecting oscillation of the plate after a predetermined extent of rotary movement of the arm to disengage the plate carried means from the arm.

8. A can opener as set forth in claim 7, in which said plate oscillating means is constructed and arranged to permit passing of the plate when the latter is moved in the opposite direction with said crank, the pivoted plate when moved in the said opposite direction engaging and imparting reverse motion to the lever arm for reversely actuating the thrust means.

9. A can opener, comprising a body member, a

nearest the lever; pivotal means supporting the plate on the lever for oscillation on `an axis paralleling the turning axis of the plate, said plate having an edge fiange arranged for connection with a side of the lever when the crank is turned clockwise, resilient means normally urging oscillation of the plate in a direction to engage the flange against an edge of the crankfand a camming means carried by the body for engagement v:by the plate flange to effect oscillation of the plate to an extent to free the flange from the lever arm when a predetermined relative movement between the wheel and cutter has been effected.

10. A can opener as set forth in claim 9 in which said camming means has two oppositely directed portions joined by an intermediate portion, one of said portions functioning to oscillate the plate to a point of disconnection from the lever arm, the intermediate portion carrying the flange of the plate across the end of the lever arm, and the other portion functioning to pre vent the too rapid reverse oscillation of theplate.

11. A can opener, comprising a body member,

a can top penetrating cutter carried thereby, a

rotatable can driving wheel carried by the fbody,

the wheel being supported to have movement rel-Y ative to the cutter to effect penetration by the cutter of a can top, a thrust means connected with the wheel for effecting such relative movement, a crank for turning the wheel, a rotatable lever for actuating the thrust means, a pawl pivotally suspended upon the body between the same and the lever, and having an eccentriccamming edge, and a lever arm engaging and actuating escapement unit comprising a member having one end pivotally connected with the crank for oscillation on an axis parallelling the axis of turning of the crank, spring means engaging the escapement member and urging oscillation of the same toward the pivoted end of the crank, a stop shoulder carried by the last mentioned means for limiting said oscillatory motion, and an element carried by the escapement means and extending transversely of the crank from the crank toward the body member and adapted for connection with the-lever arm to turn the same for effecting the stated relative movement between the cutter and driving wheel when the crank is turned in one direction, said element riding over the pawl' cam to effect the oscillation by the cam of the escapement member against the action of said spring means to an extent to effect the disengagement of the escapement element from the end of the lever arm.

12. A can opener, comprising a bodyl member, a cutter carried thereby, a rotatable can driving wheel carried by the body, the wheel being supported for movement relative to thecutter for facilitating the penetration of a can top by the cutter, a thrust means operatively coupled with the driving wheel for effecting when actuated the stated relative movement', between the wheel and cutter, a crank for turning the wheel. a lever arm operatively coupled with the thrust means and turnable to effect actuation of the latter, means carried by the body between the same and the lever arm providing a fixed cam, and a lever arm actuating escapement comprising an elongated body having an end pivotally attached to that side of the crank nearest the lever arm to oscillateon an axis paralleling the rotary axis of the crank, spring means connected with said element and urging oscillation of the same in a direction to swing the other end toward the. pivoted end of the crank, a stop shoulder carried by the element and engaging the crank to limit the oscillation of the element, a flange at the other end of the element arranged for operative connection with the lever arm upon clockwise rotation of the crank to effect movement of the driving wheel relative to the cutter, a pivoted pawl carried upon said element and arranged for ymovement over and in contact with said cam means on rotation of the crank in the said one direction, the pivoted pawl being held against pivotal movement when in the stated contact with the cam means but yielding for oscillation when reversely moved against said cam means, and spring means resisting the said yielding action of the pivoted pawl. y

13. A can opener, comprising a body member, a cutter carried thereby, a rotatable can driving wheel carried by the body, said-wheel being supported for movement relative to the cutter to facilitate penetration of a can top by the cutter, a thrust means operatively coupled with the driving wheel for effecting movement of the same Y relative to the cutter, a crank arm connected with the wheel for turning the latter, a lever armV operatively coupled with the thrust means and turnable to effect actuation of the latter, a short link barv pivotally attached at one end to the crank arm and projecting beyond the trailing edge of the latter, a trip finger secured at, one end to the trailing end of the link bar and extending transversely with respect to the crank arm toward the body member, spring means normally urging oscillation of the link bar in a direction to dispose the trip finger to engage across the free end of the lever arm upon either clockwise or counter-clockwise turning of the crank arm, and

y means providing an arcuate camming surface between the lever arm and the body member for.

engagement by the trip finger to effect the swinging of the link bar against said resilient means to an extent to facilitate the passage of the-finger across the end of the lever'arm when the latter is moved a predetermined distance by the finger in a clockwise direction.

14. A can opener of the character ,set forth in claim 13, with va rotatable element carried upon the free end of the lever' arm for engagement by and to facilitate the movement of the nger across the end of the lever arm.

15. A can opener as set forth'i'n claim 13, with a roller element carried by the finger for contacting the.1ever arm and to facilitate movement of the finger across the free end of the lever arm.

16. A can opener, comprising an elongated plate adapted to be mounted vertically, the plate having. an off-set upper part providing a shoulder, said upper part consisting of two spaced parallel portions, a knife mounted between said portions and having a lower downwardly directed cutting edge, a plate secured with the knife between said'portions .and having lateral can edge engaging arms in a plane slightly above saidedge, a can ange engaging driving wheel below and in the plane of said plate, a rotary thrust means engaging said shoulder and carrying said wheel and adapted to move the wheel relative to the knife, a lever coupled with saidv thrust means for actuatingy the latter, a crank for turning said wheel, and means carried by the crank adapted to releasably couple with the lever upon turning thc crank in one direction to effect actuation of the thrust means and movement of` the wheel relative to the knife.

17. A can opener as set forth in claim A16, in

which one of said portions forms an integral conwheel relative to the knife, a crank for said tinuation of the plate body and the other portionl wheel, a lever coupled with the thrust means for is free at one end but Joined at its other end to effecting actuation of the latter, and a latch the rst portion to have resilient movement relamechanism carried by the crank designed to retive to the first portion,'and said knife and plate 6 leasably couple with the lever upon turning of are secured only to the said other portion for the crank in one direction to actuate the lever movement therewith relative to the .(irst portion. and thrust means to move the wheel relative to 18. A can opener, comprising an elongated the knife. plate adapted to be mounted vertically, said 19. A can opener as set forth in claim 18, inplate having an integral oiset obliquely directed l0 cluding a bearing sleeve through which said shaft upper portion terminating at its upper end in a passes, the sleeve having a head upon the end lateral intermediate portion and a'second oblique remote from the knife and bearing against the portion connected at one end with the intermeside of the second portion remote from the knife, diate portion and having its other end free, a the other end of the sleeve terminating in the shaft extending through and supported by said 15 first oblique portion and coupled therewith oblique portions, a circular knife secured to the against turning but having free longitudinal end of the shaft adjacent the first oblique pormovement therein.

tion, an idler. roller on the shaft between the 20. A Can Opener aS Set forth in Claim 13, With knife and adjacent portion, the other end of the means carried by the plate for effecting the autoshaft being held against axial movement through 20 matic release of said latch mechanism from the the other oblique portion, a rotary can ange enlever when a predetermined actuation volf said gaging wheel, a thrust means supported by the thrust means has been effected.

body and bearing against said shoulder and supporting said wheel to effect movement of the ROBERT E. McLEAN. 

